2025-26 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[ZBBM]

Just went through the MLHS depth chart articles. Lots of wishcasting in there.

This is the least excited I've been about a Leafs team in about 10 years. They have one less superstar and added nobody in the forward group with any real juice. Tre's deadline gets in Laughton and Carlo are very underwhelming so far. Matthews' health is a question mark. No prospects of any great merit.

And we are being asked to watch months and months of boring Berube hockey in exchange for a better result in the playoffs — which didn't happen.

Not sure I'll be watching as much.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Well that was.....depressing. Have you talked to anyone? We're here if you need us.

 

[Kaberle15]

They went to game 7 of the 2nd round in the Matthews era for the first time. Sure, they fucked up games 5 and 7 at home. But their were the only team to take tje Juggernaut Florida to 7 games. And they did it without their main goalie.

it is a kind of win. Or my glass is half full. or both.

 

[dappleganger]

They went to game 7 of the 2nd round in the Matthews era for the first time. Sure, they fucked up games 5 and 7 at home. But their were the only team to take tje Juggernaut Florida to 7 games. And they did it without their main goalie.

it is a kind of win. Or my glass is half full. or both.

The Leafs might have been the 2nd best team in the NHL last season. Still, it wasn't good enough.

 

[dappleganger]

Just went through the MLHS depth chart articles. Lots of wishcasting in there.

This is the least excited I've been about a Leafs team in about 10 years. They have one less superstar and added nobody in the forward group with any real juice. Tre's deadline gets in Laughton and Carlo are very underwhelming so far. Matthews' health is a question mark. No prospects of any great merit.

And we are being asked to watch months and months of boring Berube hockey in exchange for a better result in the playoffs — which didn't happen.

Not sure I'll be watching as much.

Having Carlo around for the entire season will pay dividends. Laughton might be a bit of a 'David Clarkson' type thing where people thought he was better than what he was, I guess we'll find out this season.

There is one prospect with great merit, Easton Cowan. He's been the predominant player on the best team in the OHL (CHL?). He won the 2025 Memorial Cup MVP, was a CHL Player of the Year nominee, along with winning the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL MVP in 2024. He is the best prospect since the Nylander, Matthews, Marner days along with Knies. Nothing is certain but there is a lot of upside there. I imagine we'll see him in a Leafs uniform sometime this season.

If I were Treliving I'd be calling Pittsburgh. They have 4 NHL-calibre RH D-men. Maybe Karlsson wants a chance to try for a cup?

 

[Bender]

Having Carlo around for the entire season will pay dividends. Laughton might be a bit of a 'David Clarkson' type thing where people thought he was better than what he was, I guess we'll find out this season.

There is one prospect with great merit, Easton Cowan. He's been the predominant player on the best team in the OHL (CHL?). He won the 2025 Memorial Cup MVP, was a CHL Player of the Year nominee, along with winning the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL MVP in 2024. He is the best prospect since the Nylander, Matthews, Marner days along with Knies. Nothing is certain but there is a lot of upside there. I imagine we'll see him in a Leafs uniform sometime this season.

If I were Treliving I'd be calling Pittsburgh. They have 4 NHL-calibre RH D-men. Maybe Karlsson wants a chance to try for a cup?

No chance I touch Karlsson.

 

[dappleganger]

No chance I touch Karlsson.

Why?

He could play 3rd pairing minutes with OEL on his proper side and could QB the power play. He would drive play.

Pittsburgh would probably have to retain $2m to make the numbers work, theoretically an $8m cap hit.

It'd be a huge upgrade for the team if it were to happen, pretty sizeable risk/reward too.